62 Grape Culture. 



Just keep a sharp eye on your boxes and see that they do not 

 get turned upside down, and see that they are again placed 

 longitudinally in the van. Of course you will have painted 

 on the top of your box the words 



" FRUIT. 

 TO BE KEPT IvEVEL." 



In 1894, at the Crystal Palace Show that I above referred 

 to, I was greatly complimented by gardeners and visitors when 

 I placed spotless examples on the exhibition table ; but little 

 did they think of the care and anxiety it cost rne to take them 

 so far without spot or blemish. It may be interesting to quote 

 an extract from the Gardeners' Magazine of October 6th, 1894, 

 regarding my exhibits : "One of the most noteworthy exhibits 

 in the show came from north of the Tweed. A set of 12 bunches 

 grapes, grown by Mr. A. Kirk, gardener to J. Thomson Paton, 

 Esq., Norwood, Alloa. This was an easy first in its class. 

 So well developed in size of bunch, colour and size of berry, 

 and general finish, that we have had it specially photographed 

 and illustrated in the present issue. The bloom on Gros 

 Maroc was only equalled by the marvellous colour and size 

 of berry of Madresfield Court. The bunches of Black Ham- 

 burgh were large and nicely finished. Duke of Buccleuch, 

 the remarkable and magnificent white grape, was represented 

 by two large bunches which attracted much attention. Muscat 

 of Alexandria and Mrs. Pearson were the other two white 

 varieties staged. We must compliment Mr. Kirk on his 

 complete success/' In 1895 I took grapes from Scotland to 

 Dublin by steamer, and this was an easy task, and I much 

 preferred it to the rail. 



When all the grapes intended for exhibiting have been 

 placed on the boards, place one by one in the boxes the more 

 upright they are in the boxes the better, if properly tied to the 

 boards. All grapes that have a distance to travel must be 

 very firmly tied, a piece of the cane always being cut along with 

 the bunch for this purpose. 



